Secondary cataracts are the most common complication after cataract surgery, and YAG laser capsulotomy is a fast, safe and effective treatment. It uses a special, precisely tuned laser to slice through clouded tissue that affects your vision after cataract surgery. That clears the way for light traveling through your eye, restoring your vision.
YAG laser capsulotomy (also known as posterior capsulotomy) is a quick, simple follow-up procedure that uses a special laser to treat posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Also known as secondary cataracts, PCO is when your vision is getting cloudy again after a previous cataract surgery.
YAG stands for yttrium aluminum garnet, an artificial gemstone that’s a key part of how the laser works. The laser fires precise pulses of energy that slice through the posterior capsule but shouldn’t significantly disrupt other tissues at the front or back of your eye. The cuts let the capsule surface open up slightly so light can pass through without the cloudy capsule surface in the way.
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YAG laser capsulotomy usually doesn’t require any preparation on your part. Your eye specialist will schedule you to come to their office for this outpatient procedure. Right before your surgery, your eye specialist will also give you eye drops to numb your eyes and dilate your pupils. Once the drops take effect, you’ll be ready for the laser part of the procedure.
At the start of your YAG laser capsulotomy, your eye specialist will have you sit in a chair and position the laser in front of you. They’ll tell you to keep your eyes on a single point ahead of you.
The above steps take less than 10 minutes. Once your provider finishes using the laser, the procedure is over and you can go home.
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YAG laser capsulotomy has the following advantages:
Complications aren’t common after YAG capsulotomy, and the ones that are more likely to happen are usually mild and treatable.
It’s common to notice an increase in eye floaters (myodesopsias) soon after the laser procedure, but those usually last only a few days. There’s limited research on how often this happens, and experts use specific laser-firing patterns to minimize the odds of this happening.
Other, less common complications can include:
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Your eye care specialist may schedule you for follow-up visits after your laser capsulotomy, but usually, your next annual eye visit will suffice.
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek emergency care:
Conditions like retinal detachments, which are medical emergencies, can cause these symptoms. Without immediate care, the conditions causing these symptoms could cause permanent vision loss in the affected eye.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
YAG laser capsulotomy might sound like something out of science fiction, but it’s a real-world eye procedure that can help with a common side effect from cataract surgery. YAG laser capsulotomy is a fast, painless procedure. Better still, complications aren’t common, and the most common ones are minor and manageable. Don’t hesitate to ask your eye specialist questions if they recommend this procedure. They can help reassure and inform you so you understand what this procedure can do and what you should expect.
Last reviewed on 08/28/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy